Drayton Valley town council has approved the final 2026 Operating Budget at $32,710,060, with no increase to the property tax rate for residential properties and a 2.37 per cent decrease to the tax rate for non-residential properties.
“We are in a position for a strong year ahead,” commented Mayor Nancy Dodds. “I think this budget reflects our priorities, our commitment to residents, and it focuses on delivering the services our residents rely on and expect from the town.”
Since the interim budget was passed in December last year, the town has made some organizational changes, updated the volunteer firefighter pay and had to replace a failed reservoir pump. These budget additions left the town with about $660,000 to reconcile through taxes.
However, due to higher 2026 property assessment values, the town was able to balance the budget without increasing municipal tax rates. Non-residential rates are actually decreasing to bring the revenues collected from both pools into closer balance, the town explains, as it has an unusually high proportion of non-residential properties compared to similar communities.
Although the town is not raising its municipal rates, residents will still see an increase on their tax bill due to higher provincial requisitions, primarily for education. The town notes, it does not influence provincial tax rates, nor does it have access to the money collected through those rates.
For a total of $32,710,060, budgeted revenues include:
- $18,342,679 in operating revenue
- $18,769,424 in gross taxes
- $4,512,043 in school and senior requisitions
- $100,000 transfer from reserves
For a total of $32,710,060, budgeted expenses include:
- $37,906,729 in operating expenses
- $7,614,292 in depreciation
- $1,415,447 in debt repayment
- $1,002,176 in transfers to reserves
The capital budget was approved $1,970,363 in December last year. It focuses on high priority maintenance to key infrastructure components, including valve replacements within the water system, starting a new cell design for the landfill, 54 Avenue rehabilitation and a reservoir roof replacement.
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